The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7358 p77
16 July 2005

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Products

SPC changes
• Lamictal
• Velosef
Discontinued products
• Motrin
Supply issues
• Azactam
• Carbalax
• Hypovase 2mg
Products miscellany
• Celluvisc pack size
• Paediasure Plus
• Zomig labels

SPC changes

Lamictal
The summary of product characteristics for Lamictal (lamotrigine;GlaxoSmithKline) has been updated to take into account new data on an interaction with combined oral contraceptives. It now states that the maintenance dose of lamotrigine may need to be increased by as much as two-fold for women who start to take hormonal contraceptives. If stopping hormonal contraceptives, the maintenance dose of lamotrigine may need to be decreased by as much as 50 per cent. The SPC states that physiological changes during pregnancy may affect lamotrigine levels and that dose adjustment may be necessary both during pregnancy and post-partum. See SPC.

Velosef
The summary of product characteristics for Velosef (cefradine; Bristol-Myers Squibb) injection has been updated with additional information concerning interactions with loop diuretics and probenecid. It now states that loop diuretics may increase the nephrotoxicity of cephalosporins and that probenecid has been found to raise serum concentrations of cefradine by reducing renal clearance of cephalosporins. A caution about driving or operating machinery when taking cefradine has been added, and pruritus, fever and arthralgia have been added to the undesirable effects section. Reversible interstitial nephritis has also been reported. See SPC.

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Discontinued products

Motrin
Motrin (ibuprofen; Pfizer) tablets 800mg will be discontinued from 1 October. Further details from medical information on 01304 616161.

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Supply issues

Azactam
All strengths of Azactam (aztreonam; Bristol-Myers Squibb) for injection are in short supply. The company is providing it on a patient-need basis. Those who have a critical need for this product or medical questions can contact the medical information department on 0800 7311 736.

Carbalax
Carbalax suppositories (sodium acid phosphate and sodium bicarbonate; Forest Laboratories) are currently out of stock. The company says that an alternative will be available on a named patient basis through IDIS from 27 July. Further details on 01322 550550.

Hypovase 2mg
Hypovase (prazosin hydrochloride;Pfizer) tablets 2mg are currently unavailable. The company does not expect to be able to supply the tablets before the end of the year. Hypovase tablets 500µg and 1mg remain available. Further details from medical information on 01304 616161.

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Products miscellany

Celluvisc pack size
Celluvisc (carmellose sodium; Allergan) eye drops will be additionally available in packs of 60 x 0.4ml from September. Net price £10.99.

Paediasure Plus
Paediasure Plus with Fibre tube feed is now additionally available in a 200ml tetrapak presentation. Net price, 27 x 200ml £67.50.

Zomig labels
There is a printing error on some parallel-imported packs of Zomig (zolmitriptan) tablets 2.5 mg, packs of 6, relabelled and supplied by Polyfarma Ltd. On affected pack labels zolmitriptan is misspelt as “zomitriptan” in two places. The company says that this error affects a small quantity of packs and there are no plans to recall stock. Further details from Debbie Ward on 01233 638614.

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